Frankie and Slim

Frankie and Slim
Happy New Year

Saturday, July 31, 2010

TWENTY QUESTIONS MEME

I found this neat meme at southernlady64 LIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL. I decided to give it a go. If you would like to do this meme, just copy and paste, remove my answers and add your own.

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing that you thought? — Will I ever be skinny again?


2. Do you miss anyone right now? — I miss my “healthy” husband. He is still struggling and weak with the after effects of food poisoning.

3. If you could move anywhere else, would you? — I have lived 27 different places in my life so I am very happy right where I am.

4. If you could choose, what would your last meal be? — Anything from Red Lobster with their cheese bread and a frozen Top Shelf margarita.

5. What famous person, dead or alive, would you want to have lunch with? – Steig Larsson the author of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO introducing characters Lisbeth Salandar and Mikal Blomvist to the trilogy published after his death in 2004. He had other unpublished works and other novels in is head that I would love to talk to him about.

6. What was the last book you read? —THE APPEAL by John Grisham

7. What was the last movie you watched?— THE CRY OF THE OWL, crazy, mixed up, unusual and unexpected plot.


8. What was the last song you heard? —Jason Mraz “Make It Mine” heard yesterday while we had lunch at the High Winds Casino.

9. What’s your dream vacation?—An uninterrupted week of reading, writing, markering, day-dreaming. My spouse, children, grandchildren would be waiting on me and not asking me for anything. (Okay, I’m too much of a control freak to allow myself that kind of vacation. I’m too convinced that everyone needs me)

10. What is the next trip you’ll take? — It will either be one of my husband’s ship reunions or a trip to San Diego to see our children there. .

11. Did you ever go to camp? –Certainly. Church camps and campfire girls camp.

12. Have you ever been in love? –yes – right now!

13. What do you want to know about the future?— That our country will join hands and hearts in agreement of how to preserve, maintain and protect our freedom for future generations.

14. Where is your best friend?— I have many and they are many places. My spouse is my best friend. My closest girl friend died in 1990 but her children carry on her smile and her kindness in my life as my God children and best friends. My children, grandchildren and siblings are all my best friends.

15. How is your best friend? —It all involves laughter and my list of best friends all give me that.

6. Who is the biggest gossiper you know? — Me:)

17. What does your last text message say? — “Dear Hope the little goat is beginning to romp and buck”.

18. What are 3 things you’ve always wanted to do, that you still plan to accomplish? —Make our property 100% safe from unwanted predators, maintain a continual exercise program, and always be a person my family can be proud of.

19. What is one thing you’ve learned from your parents? — That there is always hope.

20. What is one thing you hope to teach your own children? —I hope I have taught my children to search for answers all their lives, never believe they know everything and never trust anyone who says they have all the answers.


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Saturday, July 24, 2010

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

ITS A BOY!





TANDY KID THE BABY GOAT, BORN JULY 24, 2010 TO ELIZABETH.

My son Tandy Bill was here this weekend and discovered the new baby in the goat pen. He insisted we name the baby for him. Also my son is named for his great-great grandfather who was Tandy Kidd so Tandy Kid" is perfect:) We did not think the baby was due for another month. Glad the mama didn't have any trouble. What an exciting discovery.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

LEAPIN' LIZARDS

Say hello to one of the newest members of our household. This is either Lucas or Lulu Lizard. We have a pair. At least I hope we only have a pair.

Ron assures me that it is a sign of prosperity to have lizards in your home. They do not bite or sting and they rid your home of bugs.

That is fine with me. I love critters, especially when I know they will not harm me. However, it is their surprise attacks that threaten to kill me. As a heart patient I'm not real sure that having a fast moving, dark, squirmy lizard drop on me from the ceiling and go scampering across my chest is very healthy.

Ron enjoyed the show and then said (with an evil grin),"I meant to tell you that we've got a couple of lizards in the house but they are harmless."

Okay so who is going to plan a trip to our place now? We can offer you lizards or salmonella -- take your pick.


(Please note on my sidebar that I am still in search of blog friends with published books.)

Friday, July 16, 2010

MY AUTHORS -- BOOKS AND BLOGS

Speaking of writing, test yours here at I Write Like. I found this at Quilly's



I write like
Chuck Palahniuk

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!


So, is anyone taking the "I Write Like" test? I keep coming up Chuck Palahniuk who wrote FIGHT CLUB which is funny because I recently revealed that I wanted to be a boxer. The other recurring writer I come up as is Mark Twain. WhooHoo!


BUCKSKIN BESSIE Her Lost Letters by Monica James

I had been reading Changes In The Wind for a long time before I looked at her sidebar and realized she has written a published a book on one of my favorite topics in the world. It was about the 101 Ranch Wild West Show from Ponca City, OK and it had a twist from all the other books and articles written. Her book was from the standpoint of Buckskin Bessie an entertainer with the show, and mostly unheard of because she was a "she". Monica put this together from letters Buckskin Bessie had written that were found in an old trunk. I immediately ordered the book and delighted in every page. I felt like Monica was one of “my authors” because I knew her in blogland.

HOMESPUN HEADLINES 2005 by Ralph Campbell, Jr.

After stumbling across Monica’s book, I began checking the sidebars for other published bloggers. I noticed Ralph Campbell of Homespun Headlines had authored three books of the same title for years 2005, 2006, 2007. I ordered HOMESPUN HEADLINES 2005 which encapsulated his blog for that year including comments from other bloggers I had come to know such as Rachel of Sliding Through Life and Cliff of Cliff Morrow’s Blog and Cliff's column for the MIDWEST PRODUCER Now I cannot find a way to order copies of Ralph's HOMESPUN HEADLINES 2006 and 2007 and I’m guessing he has stopped the publishing but it is definitely a good publication and I pick Ralph as one of “my authors” too.

HOW DO YOU TUCK IN A SUPER HERO by Rachel Balducci

Do any of you read the blog Testosterhome by Rachel Balducci? She is a mother of five boys (plus a brand, spanking new daughter). Prior to the birth of this new little girl, she had authored many articles and writes a column and had just completed a little book titled HOW DO YOU TUCK IN A SUPERHERO. I was able to order an autographed copy of her book and received it the day before Ron went into the hospital. I read it cover to cover while I was hovering over Ron. If you raised five boys like Rachel, or if you raised one boy, if you were a boy, if you knew a boy, if you knew a tomboy you will delight in every page of this little book and will want to give it to all parents, grandparents, anyone. Rachel is definitely one of “my authors”.

Have you published book that I do not know about? If I read your blog, I’m almost positive I will love your book. Please let me know because I believe I am now a legitimate collector of “my authors".

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

PEOPLE WHO STARE AT KITTENS

I'll be back to my blog soon but in the meantime you might enjoy staring at a couple of David's kittens. The other two of the four are in hiding but one is totally black and the other is solid gray and all four are healthy and happy. The two in the picture look like twins. David has turned out to be a very good mama cat. Boomer, on the other hand, moved her kittens to the neighbors and they stay there now with 9 year old Trinity while Boomer comes here for meals.

My absence has been due to Ron's recent hospitalization for dehydration caused from food poisoning. He is fine now and we are going to celebrate his recovery with a big dinner. So far no one has accepted the invitation. LOL Thankfully we got him to the hospital in time because he was one very sick fellow after 50 plus hours of vomiting and diarrhea. We answered all the questions at the hospital and from the County Health Department and we cannot pinpoint what culprit got him but he tested for salmonella bacteria.

I am sporting some injuries these days from getting in the middle of my pygmy goats when they are arguing over the sweet feed. I have started wearing high rubber boots when I go out but now I have some bruises up higher and am considering acquiring a padded football uniform to go out and care for them. They are small but mighty. (Also mighty lovable.)

Hope to catch up with all of you soon.

Friday, July 09, 2010

F.Y.I. Re PREVIOUS POST

Thanks Monica for sending me this link:

Click the following: STONING MAY HAVE BEEN STOPPED

P.S I am going to be out of touch for a bit.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

JUST ONE MORE WOMAN SO WHO CARES?

LINK TO WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW "SAVE OUR MOTHER"

Yesterday I learned of a stoning that was about to happen in Iran. A 42 year old woman convicted of adultery has been sentenced and her punishment is/was to happen momentarily as her children make a world wide plea for support in saving their mother.


What's the big deal? It's another country. It is their custom and we should not interfere. It is just one woman in a world of millions.

It is probably over as I write this but maybe not. Some outcry from our blogs might help and prayer is what we definitely have to offer at this late date if Sakineh Mohammadie Ashtiani is still alive. Perhaps she will feel some comfort in the only tie that binds us when a physical connection is not possible.

Supposedly stoning was stopped in Iran in 2002 but as we learned from the movie THE STONING OF SOYARA M. it continues and even family members participate in casting stones at their loved ones.

"Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." -- but please, please, please dear God in heaven, do not let them bring their customs with them and help us bring an end to such injustices in the world.

LINK TO ARTICLE IN THE HUFFINGTON POST

MY RECENT POST ON CAN YOU CAST THE FIRST STONE



WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW "SAVE OUR MOTHER"


Monday, July 05, 2010

YOU ARE GOING TO SAY YOU KNEW HIM WHEN

© Michael Graft/2010


Many of you have followed the artwork of my grandchildren. You know that Michael has gained a lot of recognition and awards for his work that I have shown on my blog since he was 11. Now, before he has even reached his 16th birthday, he has been commissioned to design the CD cover for an album by heavy metal band VITRELOY. Here is his finished design. I am so very proud of him.



Thursday, July 01, 2010

TICK DOC


"Remove a tick from your skin as soon as you notice it. Use fine-tipped tweezers to firmly grasp the tick very close to your skin. With a steady motion, pull the tick’s body away from your skin. Then clean your skin with soap and warm water. Throw the dead tick away with your household trash.

Avoid crushing the tick’s body. Do not be alarmed if the tick’s mouthparts remain in the skin. Once the mouthparts are removed from the rest of the tick, it can no longer transmit the Lyme disease bacteria. If you accidentally crush the tick, clean your skin with soap and warm water or alcohol."


Most of us are going to be outside more this weekend for INDEPENDENCE DAY Celebrations. We need to be cautious about getting ticks and removing them if they become attached. The above photo directs you to the ideal way to remove a tick.

I have heard a zillion ways to safely remove an attached tick. When I was a child, we would always strike a match, blow it out and press the hot ember on the tick. Supposedly that would cause the tick to let go and begin backing out.

Many people put nail polish remover on the tick to remove it, some use Vaseline to smother the tick and some might actually brush clean nail polish over the tick to remove it.

Does your family have an interesting way to remove ticks?

Be sure and spray insect repellent on your and your family before going outside and have a HEALTHY, HAPPY AND SAFE 4th OF JULY WEEKEND.